Since April 1979, legendary pianist Marian McPartland has welcomed a stellar line-up of jazz artists for one hour of conversation and improvisation on her Peabody Award-winning program. Each week, McPartland, with her engaging personality and improvisational savvy, hosts a variety of performers in her radio living room. You can hear Piano Jazz on WBGO Thursdays at 6:30pm.

Like WBGO, Piano Jazz is turning 30 this April. To celebrate the anniversary, Ms. McPartland returns to Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola on April 14th. "The Grande Dame of Jazz" will be joined by some of the music world's most radiant performers. Musical guests will include Kenny Barron, Joanne Brackeen, Bill Charlap, Cyrus Chestnut, Kurt Elling, Mulgrew Miller, Arturo O'Farrill, and Randy Weston. That's the short list.

Additionally, Marian McPartland will be honored with a lifetime achievement award from the "Worshipful Company of Musicians" of England during the evening's festivities. The award will be presented by fellow "WM of M" honoree, pianist John Escreet. For more information, check out www.wcom.org.uk.
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March 24, 2009. Posted by Simon Rentner.

For straight and narrow jazz enthusiasts, the work of Derek Trucks may come as a surprise.Forget the fact that he’s been on the road since his early teens with such visible artists like Eric Clapton or The Allman Brothers (he was a child prodigy, after all).Trucks, who, for many years, humbly lived in the shadow of his uncle, drummer Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers, never bothered to put himself first with such auspicious company always around. As he matured, this approach shifted drastically over the years, which was most recently magnified during his interview yesterday with WBGO’s Michael Bourne.Trucks clearly paved a way for himself, proving to any suspecting jazz fans -- myself included -- that he's a serious artist. Even though his music may not fit with WBGO’s format -- except with the Blues Hour – the intregity of his sound, rooted in the great Afro - American songwriting tradition, digs deep. This, combined with his overall openness and impressive music IQ -- reflected in the candid conversation -- elevates his status well above his jam-band and roots-rock category.Musically, his version of Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s anthem Volunteered Slavery turned my head.The down-to-earth interview with Michael Bourne made me a believer. - Simon Rentner